Former British police officer Mark Bullen has become the first person born in the United Kingdom to be stripped of British citizenship on national security grounds due to his ties with Russia. The decision was made by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Bullen, 45, served for more than a decade with Hertfordshire Constabulary. During his service, he had repeated contact with Russian counterparts, took part in a month-long exchange programme in St. Petersburg, and met with senior officers of Russian security forces. He subsequently moved to Russia, where he has lived in St. Petersburg since 2014 — marrying a Russian woman, fathering four children, and obtaining Russian citizenship in 2022. He currently works in communications for Gazprom-owned football club Zenit.
The grounds for deprivation of citizenship were suspicions of “hostile activity” in the interests of a foreign state. In 2024, Bullen was stopped at Luton Airport, where his electronic devices were seized and he was questioned. On social media, he had posted content critical of Ukraine, while describing Russia as his “childhood love” and a “dream come true.”
Deprivation of citizenship is an extremely rare measure, previously applied mainly to foreign nationals convicted of terrorism or serious crimes. In Bullen’s case, this marks the first precedent for a UK-born individual on grounds specifically related to Russian connections. The decision was taken in October 2025, shortly after Shabana Mahmood’s appointment as Home Secretary.
British authorities have not yet officially commented on the details of the case, citing national security considerations. Bullen himself had not made any public statement at the time the news was published.